The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has urged more tertiary institution students in the South-East to subscribe to its loan programme to support their educational pursuits.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, made the call at the matriculation of 7,523 students of Abia State University, Uturu, on Friday.
Represented by the Abia State Deputy Director of the scheme, Ugoeze Azubuike, Sawyerr urged the fresh students, in particular, to access the loan facility.
He said, “NELFUND is committed to providing accessible, transparent and sustainable student loan support to enable students focus on their academic goals without the burden of financial hardships.
“We are working closely with institutions, including Abia State University, and state governments across the federation to expand awareness and ensure that eligible students benefit from this initiative.
“I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities provided through NELFUND.
The student loan programme is designed to support your educational journey and ease financial barriers, allowing you to focus on achieving academic excellence.”
Recall that The PUNCH recently reported that the South-East accounts for the lowest percentage of NELFUND applications.
An analysis of 1.67 million applicants from May 2024 to February 23, 2026, showed that the South-East accounts for six per cent of total applications, the lowest among the six geopolitical zones.
This came as NELFUND on Monday announced that the student loan application portal would remain open beyond the earlier February 27, 2026, deadline.
The fund attributed the extension to a significant increase in awareness and nationwide demand generated by its ongoing sensitisation campaign, as well as the need to give eligible students more time to complete their applications.
The scheme, established in April 2024 following the signing of the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act by President Bola Tinubu, provides interest-free loans aimed at expanding access to tertiary education.
Addressing the 44th matriculation ceremony for postgraduate, regular undergraduate and Institute for Continuing Education students, the ABSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ndukwe Okeudo, urged the students to shun excessive interest in creating social media content and other anti-social vices.
“By the grace of God, we have recorded an unprecedented upsurge in admissions this year. This is a testament to the massive transformation of the university by the governor and our efforts at doing things the right way.
“The transparent admission policy of this administration ensured that the best candidates were prioritised. A total of 7,523 candidates were offered admission in the 2025/2026 academic session,” he said.
In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Agwu U. Agwu, assured of continued student-friendly policies to ensure a conducive environment for teaching, research and community service.
Governor Alex Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the education sector and urged the students to embrace the “new Abia mindset.”
